Casing head



v Aug. 46, 1935. H. `[ca W|CVKERSHAM 2,010,284

CASING HEAD Filed Aug. 15, 1935 vPatented Aug. 6, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CASING naar Applicaties amm 1s, ma. serial N.. 5,243

1a claim. (ci. ies- 14) This invention relates to a device for use on the upper end of a well and relates more particularly to a well casing head. It is a general object of the present invention to provide a simple, compact and 'effective casing head.

In casing deepwells, for example. oil wells and gas wells, it is usually desirable to suspend or support the strings of casing from their upper ends so that they are maintained under a suitable slight tension, but it is not desirable to subject the strings of casing to excessive tensile strains. The usual casing heads are suchv that it is necessary to stretch the string of landed and set casing a considerable amount and thus subject it to severe tensile strains in order to arrange the packing and casing supporting parts in position on the head. Further, the usual casing heads are large and bulky and expensive of manufacture. y

An object of the present invention is to pro- -vide a casing head that does not necessitate the excessive stretching or straining of the casing when suspending it and inserting packing about 'it at the head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casing head including a novel casing supporting assembly that may be easily and quickly arranged in the body of the head to be in supporting en-4 gagement with the lower end of the collar or coupling on the upper end of the casing without excessive stretching or straining of the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casing head including an assembly adapted to be lowered or passed into the body of the head to a position where it will automatically engage under the coupling on the upper end of the casing without the necessity of stretching the casing t raise the coupling out of the body.

It is another object of the invention to provide a casing head of the character mentioned including an assembly adapted to be positioned in the body of the head to engage under thecoupling on the upper end of the casing and a means for positively locking the casing supporting assembly in position.

It'is an other object of the invention to provide a casing head of the character mentioned that is operable to dependably and eifectively pack and seal about thelnner casingwhich it surpng ports.

It is a further object of the invention to provvide a casing head that is vvery small and compact and that is simple and inexpensive oi' manufacture.

other objects and features of the invention will be better and fully understood from the following typical form and application of the inven-y tion, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of 5 the casing head provided by the present invention showing it in position on the upper end of an outer casing and in supporting and pack ing engagement with an inner casing. Fig. 2 is a transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a topor plan view of one of the segmental supporting members. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the inner side of one of the segmental members, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sec.- tional view illustrating the casing supporting assembly after it has been positioned in the body of the head and before it has contracted on to the inner casing.

The casing head provided by the invention includes generally, a body Il adapted to be mounted on the upper end of an outer casing C', an assembly il adapted to be inserted in the body I0 to support or suspend an inner string of casing C, a lock ring i2 for holding the assembly il in casing supporting position, and means I3 for packing about the inner casing C.

-The body Il is a tubular structure or member to be applied to the upper end of the outer casing C. In the preferred construction, the body il is a simple 'integral member adapted to be con` nected with the outer casing C' by welding or screw threads. In the particular application of the invention illustrated in the drawing, the lower end portion il of the body Il is externally threaded to be screw threaded into the upper end of the outer casing C'. The opening i5 inthe tubular body i0 is vertical and is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the outer casing C. Fluid conduits Ii are threaded in openings I1 inthe o wail of the body Il to be in communication with the body opening and the interior of the `outer casing C. The upper end portion Il of the body opening is of enlarged diameter so that an annular upwardlyfacing shoulder i! is provided on the interior of thebody. An outwardly projecting annular flange 2l is provided on the exterior of the body il and is spaced below the'upper end of the body V'lhe assembly Ii for holding or suspending the string of inner casing C is adapted to be dropped or lowered into the body Il toseat on the shoulder i! and is operable to engage under the` collar or coupling A on the upper end ofthe inner casing C, when the stringvof casing C is stretched 55 slightly to raise the collar. The upper length or section of the inner casing C is proportioned so that the lower end of the collar A is spaced between the shoulder il and the upper end of the body I0. The manner of providing for this proportioning of the upper section of casing C and the location of the coupling A will be subsequent- 1y described. The assembly II comprises a plurality of segmental members 2|. The several members 2I are preferably alike 'in' size and shape. The assembly of the segmental members 2| is annular or tubular and is frustro-conical when seat--y ed on the shoulder I9 in .supporting engagement with the lower end of the coupling A. The lower ends 22 of the segmental members 2| are ilat and are horizontal when the members are in their nal casing supporting positions so that they are adapted-to effectively seat on the upwardly facing body shoulder I9. The upper ends 22 of the segmental members 2| are,ilat, and when the members are in their'operative positions, their upper ends 22 are horizontal and are in 'eiective cooperation with the lower end of the coupling A. The inner and outer sides of the.

segmental members 2| are curved and are inclined downwardly and outwardly when the assembly is in the casing supporting position. The opposite ends of the several members 2| are flat and radial as illustrated throughout the drawing.

In accordance with the invention. the segmental members 2| constituting the assembly II may be proportioned sothat their radial ends bear one against the other when the assembly is in the casing supporting position to hold the inner sides of the members out of engagement with the casing C. The particular members 2| illustrated are provided on their inner sides at or adjacent their upper ends with cylindrically Y curved faces 23 and are proportioned so that the faces are adapted to bear inwardly against the casing C. This engagement of the faces 23 with the casing C of course limits the inward movement of the members 2| and properly positions the members to effectively engage under the coupling A. Circumferentially extending and aligned grooves are provided in the outer sides of the segmental members 2| to form an annular groove 25 in the assembly. The wall of the groove 25 is cylindrically curved about a verticall axis and the lower end or wall of the groove' forms an upwardly facing horizontal shoulder when the assembly is contracted on the casing C. Grooves are provided in the outer sides of the several members 2|' and are in circumferential' supported on the shoulder I8. By .tilting the seg-- mental members 2| to swing their upper ends outwardly, their inner and outer sides become sub- `stantially vertical so that when the assembly is passed into the opening I 8, its inner and outer sides are substantially concentric with the wall of thebody opening- The segmentaimembers 2|VA are proportioned so that they 'maybe passed into the'body opening Il with suitable A clearance when tilted as just described. It is to be understood that the members 2| may be passed into the open- -ing oneby one. It is preferred however. to handle the several members 2| as a single assembly, as will be presently described. When -the assembly II is seated on the shoulder |9 its upper end 22 is spaced some distance below the upper end of the body Iii. i

Means is provided to hold the members 2| assembled to facilitate the convenient handling of the assembly. A constraining member or spring member 28 is arranged in the groove 26. The member 28 is in the nature of a broken or split ring of spring wire, or the like, and normally yieldingly urges the several members 2| inwardly. When the assembly II is to be passed into the body opening Iii around the coupling A, the segmental members 2| are pivoted on the spring member 28 to positions where their inner and outer sides are substantially vertical and the member 28 is then sprung to allow 'the assembly II4 to be passed downwardly over the coupling A into the opening |8. When the assembly is seated on the shoulder I9, the upper inner corners of the several segmental members 2| engage the exterior of the coupling A adjacent its lower end. The inner casing C may then be stretched or elongated by the suspension mecha- `nism in the derrck to raise the collar or coupling A out of engagement with-the members 2| whereupon the members 2| may tilt inwardly by gravity to have their upper inner faces on or adjacent the casing. When the member 28 is in the form of a casing.

The lock ring I2 is adapted -to be positioned in the opening I8 of the body to hold or lock the assembly |.I in its contracted position where it engages under the coupling A. The lock ring I2 is proportioned to i'lt into the opening I8 around the coupling A and has a reduced lower portion 38 to extend in-to the groove 2 5 in the assembly I I. The reduced lower portion 30 of the lock ring I2 has a cylindrically curved inner side to cooperate with the wall of the groove 25, and a ilat horizon- `tal end to seat aginst the lower end of the groove. The Aupper'end 3| of the lock ring I2 is preferably ilat and is spaced below the upper end of the body I0 to form an abutment or support for a packing ring.

The packing means I3 is provided to seal between the collar or coupling A and the body I0. 'I 'he means I3 includes a ring 32 of suitable packing material arranged on theupper end 3| of the ring I2. 'I'he packing ring 32 may be substan tially square or rectangular in cross section. The

cylindrically curved external and internal faces of the packing ring 32 are 'operable to effectively' seal with the wall of the opening I8 and with the collar or coupling A. Means is provided to compress the packing ring 32 and to lock orf/'hold the various parts in thebody opening.. compression sleeve 33 is arranged at the upper end oi the body l0 and is provided with a downwardly pro- `iecting flange 34 to engage or clamp ,against the upper side of the packing ring 32. The sleeve 33 surrounds the upper end of the body l0 and is provided in its lower-side with an annular recess 35 to receive the upper portion of the body. Studs or bolts 31 extend through spaced vertical openings in the flange 20 and sleeve 33. Nuts 33 are threaded on the bolts 31 to' clamp the sleeve 33 downwardly so that its iiange 34 compresses the packing ring 32 against the lock ring I2. It will be apparent how tightening oi the nuts 33 effectively compresses the packing ring 32 so that it 4 tightly seals between the body I0 and coupling A.

It is believed that the operation of the 'casing head provided by the present invention will be readily understood from theforegoing detailed description. After the inner string of casing C. has been landed and cemented in, it is engaged by a holding tool at or adjacent the coupling connecting its upper section with the adjacent section. The upper section of the casing C is then backed off or unthreaded from the string. Prior to disconnection of the upper section from the string arrangement inthe body opening I3, its several segmental members 2| are tilted or pivoted on the member 28 to positions where their inner and outer curved sides are substantially vvertical and the member 23 is sprung or stretched so that the assembly may be readily passed downwardly over the coupling A into the opening I3. When the assembly II is initially seated on the shoulder I3, it assumes the position illustrated in Fig. 5'

of the drawing where the upper inner corners of the members 2i engage the periphery of the coupling-A. The inner string of casing C is then stretched or elongated slightly to permit the asl sembly I I to contact on to the casing C below the lower end of the coupling A. It is necessary to stretch or elongate the inner string of casing C only an amount suiiicient to bring the lower end of the coupling A to a position at the upper end of the assembly II to allow the members 2I to pivot or contract inwardly. When the members 2I are contracted, their faces 23 engage against the casing C and their lower ends 22 evenly seat on the shoulder I9. The -lower end of the coupling A bears downwardly against the upperends 22 of the members 2l. As the inner string of casing C is-stretched slightly to permit the contraction of the assembly II, itis evident that the assembly II maintains a 'suitable slight tautness in the casing.

The members 2| constituting the assembly II are-sufllciently rigid and sturdy to dependably support the string of casing C on the body shoulder I9. After the assembly II has been arranged in its operative casing supporting position, the lock ring I2 and the packing ring 32 are arranged in the body I3. The lock ring I2 in fitting against the exterior of the assembly I I positively prevents the disengagement of the assembly from the lower ed of the coupling A. The compression sleeve 33 may be readily arranged in .position and clamped downwardly against the packing 32 by means of the bolts 31 and/,nuts 33. 'I'he present invention Aprovides a casing head that dependably and effectively supports a string of inner casing and that-provides an eiective fluid tight seal around the upper end of the casing. It is to be particularly'noted that the casing' supporting assembly I I and the packing 32 may be arranged in operative positions In the body of the head without subjecting the casing 4C to heavy or excessive tensile strains. The casing head is compact and occupies a minimum amount of space at the upper end of the outer casing C. s

Having described only a typical form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the typical form and application herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

, Havingdescribed my invention, I claim: 1. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a tubular body receiving the tubing and projection with clearance and having an internal shoulder. and an assembly adapted to be passed into the body when the projection is in the body to rest on said shoulder and to engage said projection to support the tubing, the assembly including means for automatically contracting against the tubing under the projection to assume a tubing supporting position.

2. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including,.a tubular body having an internal shoulder, and a segmental member adaptedtobepassedintothebodytorestonsaid shoulder and to be tilted to engage under said projection to support the tubing.

3. A casing head for-carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and a member shaped and proportioned to be passed into the opening when the projection is in the opening to rest on said shoulder and adapted to be tilted into a'position in engagement with the projection to support the tubing.

4. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving` the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, an assembly adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is in the opening to restI on the shoulder where it may engage the lower end of the projection to support the tubing, and means for' locking the assembly in engagement with the lower end of the projection, said means including a ring adapted to be arranged in the opening to encircle the assembly.

5. A casing head'ior carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, a contractable assembly adapted to be passed into the opening around the projection to rest on said shoulder with its parts in substantially vertical positions, and means for contracting the upper end of the assembly on the tubing to cooperate with the lower end of the projection while the lower end of the assembly remains in contact with the shoulder.

6. A casing head for carrying a tubinghaving a projecting including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means'for supporting the `tubing on the shoulder said means including a plurality of members adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is therein to rest on said shoulder, and to be tilted inwardly against the tubing to cooperate with the projection.

4 7. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening -for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means for supporting the tubing on the shoulder said means including a plurality of members adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is therein to rest on said shoulder, and 4means for tilting the members inwardly against the tubing to come into supporting cooperation with the lower end oi' the projection.

8. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection'including, a body having an opening i or receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means for supporting the tubing on the shoulder said means including a plurality of members adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is therein to rest on said shoulder andto be tilted inwardly against the tubing to cooperate with the projection', and means for locking the,members in the tilted positions.

9. A casing head for carrying a tubinghaving a projection including, al body having an opening for receiving .the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means for supporting the tubing on the shoulderincluding an assembly adapted to be passed into the" opening around the projection to ,rest on the shoulder and initially engage the outer side of the projection, the assembly being adapted to contract inwardly toward the tubing when the projection vis raised to be engaged by the lower end ofthe projection, and a ring in the opening for Aholding the assembly in the contracted position.

10. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means for supporting the tubing including a member adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is in the opening t0 have its lower end rest on the shoulder, the upper end of the member being adapted to tilt inwardly to engagenunder the projection upon the projection being raised and then lowered, and means for holding the V`lnemberin the tilted position.

11. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body,

and means for supporting the tubing including an annular assembly of a plurality of members, the assembly being adapted to be inserted in the opening around the projection to have the lower ends of its members bear on the shoulder, means for tilting the members inwardly so that their upper portions bear against the shoulders and. theirupperV ends are engageable by the lower end of the projection, and means for holding the members in Athe `tilted positions.

12. A casing head ior carrying a tubing having a-projectionincluding, a body having an opening .for receiving the tubing and projectionV with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and vmeans for supporting the tubing including an'annular assembly of a plurality of arcuate members, and a ring holding the members in assembled relation, the assembly being adapted to be inserted in the opening around the projection to have the lower ends of its members bear .onthe shoulder, the members being adapted to for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body and means for supporting the tubing including an annular assembly of a plurality oi members, the assembly being adapted to be inserted in the opening around the projection to have the lower ends of its members bear on the shoulder, the members being formed to tilt so that their upper endsl are engageable by the lower end of the projection, there being a groove in the exterior of the assembly, and means for holding the men1' bers in the tilted positions, the last mentioned means comprising a ring to surround the assembly and 't in said groove.

14. A casing head for carrying a tubing having a projection including, a body having an opening for receiving the tubing and projection with clearance, an upwardly facing shoulder in the body, and means for supporting the tubing including an annular assembly of a plurality of members, the assembly being adapted to be inserted in the opening around the projection to have the lower ends of its members bear on the shoulder, and a1 spring ring engaging around the assembly to tilt the members 'inwardly to engage under the projection. t

15. A casing head'for handling a tubing having a projection including a body adapted to be arranged on the upper end of a well casing, the body having a vertical opening vadapted to receive the tubing and the projection with clearance, a shoulder on the wall of the opening, an assembly adapted to be passed into the opening when the projection is therein to rest on said shoulder, the assembly including means for automatically cori-e tracting to engage under the projection to support the tubingon the shoulder, and means for of the assembly being adapted to contract 'to-l ward the tubing whereby the assembly is operable to engage under the projection to support the tubing on the shoulder, a ring in the opening foi holding the assembly in the tubing supporting position, and means for packing between the projection and body.

17. A casing head for handling a tubing having a projection including a body adapted to be arranged on the upper end of a well casing, the body having a vertical opening adapted to receive the tubing and the projection with clerance, a shoulder on the wall oi the opening, an ssembly adapted to-be pas'sed'into the opening over the pro-v jection to rest on said shoulder, the upper end of the assembly being adapted to contract toward the tubing whereby the assembly is operable to.

ranged on Vthe upperv end o! o well casini, the engage under the projection to support the tubbody having a vvertical opening adapted to receive. in: on the shoulder, a. ring holding the assembly the tubing and the projection with clenrn a in the tubing supporting position, packing carshoulder on the wall of the openlns. on assemried by the ring for sealing around the projection I bly adapted tobepassed into theopeningover the and a. compression sleeve extending into the 6 projection to rest on said shoulder, the upper end opening for com the packing.v of the assembly being adapted to contract toward the tubing whereby the assembly is opersble to HARRY P. WICKERSHAM 

